Spotlight 04/06-04/10

This week 18+ events to travel around the world with music of Mali, Mexico, Turkey, Africa, Jamaica, Brazil, India, Cuba, Films festivals from Asia, Latin America, Bosnia-Herzegovinia, Japan, France, Dance from India and Spain, Cultural festival of Poland and a Play about being Muslim in America. Happy Weekend everyone, enjoy !

Wednesday 04/06The Only Son/The Maestro and His Muse: Yasujirö Ozu and Setsuko Hara (Film)
(Yasujirö Ozu, 1936) · “Life’s tragedy begins with the bond between parent and child.” This title card begins Ozu’s first film with sound and announces his major subject: parents and children. Ozu’s transition into the sound era focuses on the relationship between a widowed mother and her son. Notable for being the only Ozu film occurring over different time periods (1923, 1935, and 1936), The Only Son is a thematically definitive and moving work. runtime: 87 min format: 35mm. 7pm & 9pm docfilms · Max Palevsky cinema · Ida Noyes Hall · University of Chicago

3 STORIES OF LOVE by Hashiguchi (film)
Internationally acclaimed Japanese director Ryosuke Hashiguchi returns with his first feature after seven years since ALL AROUND US. In 3 STORIES OF LOVE, all the actors are relative unknowns via auditions with Hashiguchi writing their roles specially for them. The end product is a master piece with detailed depiction of the emotions of people dealing with the tribulations of life. Named the best Japanese film of 2015 in Kinema Junpo annual critics’ poll, this is not a film that you wish to miss. 140 mins. in Japanese w/English subtitles
7PM at AMC River East 21, 322 E Illinois St, Chicago

Acoustic Africa Tour w/Habib Koité & Vusi Mahlasela at Old Town School of Folk Music
After worldwide critical and commercial success in 2006, 2011 and 2013, the fourth installment of Acoustic Africa’s exhilarating journey focuses on the richness of the African traditions of voice and song. In 2016 Acoustic Africa will feature two beloved singers, Habib Koite and Vusi Mahlasela, and its marketing and outreach will advance the mission of Oxfam International to meet the social, environmental, and public health challenges present throughout Africa.
7pm The Old Town School of Folk Music. 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago

Thursday 04/07Operation Popcorn at 21st Annual Asian American Showcase
Seven years in the making, this documentary spins a bizarre tale of intrigue and entrapment worthy of a spy movie, except that it’s a real-life story involving a former Laotian Army general, a respected community leader, and the U.S. government. In 2007, retired General Ving Pao and businessman Locha Thao were arrested along with other Laotian immigrants and charged with amassing heavy weapons and ammunition with intent to overthrow the Laotian government. As the convoluted case plays out, U.S. agents and even a senator are implicated in a twisting and ever-changing chain of bait-and-switch and betrayal, ultimately highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Laos. DCP digital. (BS)

Tournées Film Festival: Contemporary French Cinema
The King and the Mockingbird 7pm
(Paul Grimault, 1980) · Finished over 30 years after it was initially started, and only released in the U.S. in 2014, The King and the Mockingbird centers on a tyrannical king, who attempts to separate a shepherdess and chimney sweep who are in love, and the talking mockingbird who opposes him in helping the young couple escape. A masterpiece of hand-drawn cell animation, Grimault’s animated gem notably influenced Studio Ghibli co-founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. runtime: 83 min format: DCP

Girlhood 9pm
(Celine Sciamma, 2014) · In her follow up to Tomboy, Celine Sciamma returns once again to the pains and trials of adolescence. Girlhood follows the resilient but fragile African-French teenager Marieme as she tries to navigate her present and future in the harsh reality of a Paris banlieue with the help of her newfound friends. Through her nuanced and emotional examination of these four French girls, Sciamma portrays today’s benefits and consequences of femininity. runtime: 113 min format: DCP

Mosque Alert a play by Jamil Khoury (Thurs, Friday, Sat, Sun)
Inspired by the “Ground Zero Mosque” controversy in New York City, Mosque Alert tells the story of three fictional families living in Naperville, Illinois, whose lives are interrupted by a proposed Islamic Center on the site of a beloved local landmark. Mosque Alert explores the intersections of zoning and Islamophobia with humor, family drama, and refreshingly blunt honesty.

Friday 04/0832nd Chicago Latino Film Festival (04/08-21)
During the festival, over 100 feature and shorts films from all over Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the United States are screened. The programming represents the great diversity of themes and genres of the Latino filmmaking. The two-week Festival also feature opportunities for the audiences to participate in discussions with the directors at the screenings as well as at series of special events highlighting the diversity of the Latino culture. 2016 will mark the 32nd anniversary of the Chicago Latino Film Festival.

Chicago to Cuba: Neighborhood Nite FREE
FREE reception to introduce the paintings produced by Chicago artist and Lakeview East gallery owner, Nancie King Mertz. Enjoy a Cuban Welcome Drink: “Cuba Libre”, and light Cuban appetizers by Cohiba Cuban Cuisine. You’ll hear Cuban music in the background and the courtyard will be open to enjoy your Cuban cigar! 5pm Art De Triumph and Artful Framer Studios 2938 N Clark St
Six days in Cuba resulted in 13 paintings, and more have been added since her return. Nancie was 1 of 100 artists allowed into the country in Feb. to capture Cuba on canvas before it begins to change. She is a Master Signature member of 3 international Pastel organizations and much of her Cuban work will be shipped in mid-April to a gallery in Annapolis,MD for a group exhibit — so don’t miss this historic show! Register for entry

11th Annual Chicago Festival of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film (04/08-10)
Chicago Festival of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film is the premiere resource of film and video from Bosnia-Herzegovina and South Eastern Europe in the Midwestern United States.
The festival sponsors a roundtable featuring filmmakers and prominent writers. In addition to this, we hope to spark up a broader discussion regarding the images of Bosnia and Herzegovina in film and the contribution of Bosnian-Herzegovinian cinema to international film.
We believe our event will speak to and reflect Chicago’s culturally diverse community of Bosnians and Herzegovinians, the largest in the United States.

Tuareg guitarist and singer-songwriter Bombino at HOB
New music from Tuareg guitarist and singer-songwriter Bombino “Azel” (‘Tuareggae’) | Fans of Bombino and Tuareg music in general will notice a few remarkable innovations on this album. The first is the introduction of a new style Bombino is pioneering that he affectionately calls ‘Tuareggae’ – a sunny blend of Tuareg blues/rock with reggae one-drop and bounce. Another is the first-ever use of Western vocal harmonies in recorded Tuareg music (due to Longstreth’s influence), which give the songs new depth and color. Finally, the band behind him is tighter and more energetic than ever before. The result is Bombino’s best, most well-rounded, and groundbreaking album to date: Azel.
7pm House of Blues with GALACTIC :: “Into The Deep Tour 2016”

Bollywood Masala w/DJ Warp at Global Dance Party at Old Town School of Folk Music
Come and experience a night of high-energy Bollywood dance with Mandala Arts! This event has something for everyone: exercise, dance technique, wedding moves, expressions, and the latest Bollywood tunes. We start with a progressive warm-up, including a cardio workout, Bhangra & Bollywood moves suitable for the dance floor, and finally, a fast and easy dance routine to a brand new Bollywood movie hit. Mandala artists Ruchi Shah and Akanksha Mishra will lead the class.

Radio M on WBEZ 91.5 FM (Fridays)
Radio M is Chicago Public Radio’s weekly international music show. Journey with our host Tony Sarabia around the world as he explores world cultures and people through music and sounds. He’ll also delve deep into Chicago’s world music scene, interviewing local artists and helping listeners understand their worldly influences.9 PM Tune in live catch our live stream onlin

Saturday 04/09Ser Latino: OLAS Cultural Show and Art Fair
Presented by The Organization of Latin American Students. A celebration of Latin American culture though food, dance, performance and art. Featuring an art and food fair which will exhibit local Chicago artists and food vendors along with student works, followed by our annual cultural show. Food and Art Fair: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM. Tickets will be $5 and will include dinner and admission to the art fair and cultural show.

Sons of Halawa at 21st Annual Asian American Showcase
In SONS OF HALAWA, Anakala Pilipo Solatorio, the last surviving elder in Molokai’s sacred Halawa valley, searches for an heir to his vast trove of cultural knowledge, music, dance, and oral tradition. Three young men – his youngest son Greg, and his two adopted sons Josh and Jason – absorb his teachings and strive for the role, yet are forced to consider the life of hardship and rural isolation required in order to carry on this legacy passed down by generations of native Hawaiians. Both in DCP digital. (BS)
A performance featuring live Hawaiian music and dance, with New York-based Molokai crooner Jason Poole and Halau I Ka Pono – The Hula School of Chicago, follows the screening.

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
This must-see event features 40 leading dancers, singers, musicians and guest artists who bring the magic of Spain to Chicago through their exciting fusion of traditional, classical, folkloric, Flamenco, and dramatic theatrical productions. With passion, power and spectacle, Ensemble Español highlights a mosaic of Hispanic cultures, bringing sophistication to the art, and seducing the crowd with romance mixed with unpredictable choreography. Their extraordinary repertory – created during 36 years of national and international performances – contains original works by Dame Libby Komaiko, Edo, Maria Alba, Victorio Korjhan, Roberto Lorca and Spain’s legendary dancers and choreographers Juan Mata & Ana Gonzalez, founding members and former first dancers of the National Ballet of Spain, and features more than 125 dances in flamenco, folkloric and classical Spanish styles. Works by Timo Lozano, Edo, Paco Alonso, folkloric authority Juanjo Linares, and Flamenco master Manolete all exemplify the Ensemble’s dedication to its cultural and artistic mission.
7.30pm Dominican University Performing Arts Center, 7900 Division St, River Forest, Illinois

Erkan Oğur & İsmail Hakkı Demircioğlu (Turkish Folk)
Ogur interprets music both from classical and folk domains and is a also member of Telvin Trio, which mainly performs Turkish folk music in improvised jazz style, with Ilkin Deniz and Turgut Alp Bekoglu. İsmail Hakkı Demircioğlu’s collaboration with Erkan Ogur started around 1988. They have been performing in concerts in and outside of Turkey and released two albums together: Demircioglu (“Anadolu Besik – Anatolia the Cradle”, “Gulun Kokusu Vardi – Rose had fragrance”). Ismail Hakki also released a solo album, “Nasip Olsa”, in 2004. 8pm Szold Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music 4545 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

Las Cafeteras are immigrant children remixing roots music, telling modern day stories with what LA Times has called a “uniquely Angeleno mishmash of punk, hip-hop, beat music, cumbia and rock … Live, they’re magnetic.”
The band is taking the music scene by storm with infectious live performances that cross musical borders. They’ve played with bands such as folk/indie favorites Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Mexican icons Cafe Tacuba, Colombian superstar Juanes, L.A. legends Ozomatli, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and most recently with Talib Kweli. Listen to Las Cafeteras music here: With Los Vicios de Papa (LVDP Sound System) & DJ Fanita Banana of The Ponderers 7.30pm Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, Chicago

Songhoy Blues (Mali) w/ DJ Warp at Martyrs’ 8pm
A “masterpiece of desert blues, blending American guitar licks with Malian grooves”
Once among the most prominent of Mali’s many ethnic groups, the Songhoy now live largely on the margins of the West African nation. Nonetheless, the Songhoy people retain a fierce pride in their history, beliefs, and traditional music. Hailing from the heart of Gao, on the banks of the Niger River, Oumar Touré and Aliou Touré grew up obsessed with hip hop, R&B, and classic rock like The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. They found a kindred spirit and musical brother in guitarist Garba Touré (son of Oumar Touré, long term percussionist in Ali Farka Touré’s band). When growing unrest in the north of Mali forced the young men and their families to take refuge in the southern town of Bamako, they decided to turn crisis into opportunity by forming a band. They enlisted drummer Nathanial “Nat” Dembele and baptized their band Songhoy Blues in celebration of their displaced people and culture.

Dos Santos with Ida Y Vuelta & The Ponderers
Dos Santos: Anti-Beat Orquesta rocks the sounds of popular pan-Latin American dance genres—from cumbia to salsa. Ida y Vuelta’s presentations come from a long tradition known as the Fandango (dance party) of the Mexican folk music called Son Jarocho. The genre is a fusion of African, Arabic-Spanish and Indigenous music and poetry.The Ponderers feature global tracks with a focus on Latin America, spinning eclectic sounds created by the world’s fiercest chicas poderosas in both digital and vinyl formats. Subterranean, 2011 W North Ave, Chicago

Sunday 04/10Celebrate Poland at Neighborhoods of the World FREEChicago is famous for its ethnic neighborhoods—and Navy Pier is proud to honor the city’s Polish community with this cultural celebration for all ages. Join us for a lively afternoon of music, dance, colorful costumes, food and local vendors selling folk art. 12pm-4pm Navy Pier, Crystal Gardens, East Grand Avenue, Chicago.